Quarterback Ian Schilling said it was just what the Blue Devils needed ahead of the regular-season finale last week against Stevenson.

"We met and talked about what happened," Schilling said. "We brought that energy toward the Stevenson game. We executed all around."

The senior threw three touchdown passes to help Warren to the 21-14 victory against the Patriots.

The win clinched a playoff berth. The 21st-seeded Blue Devils (6-3) play at 12th-seeded Bolingbrook (7-2) on Friday in a Class 8A first-round game.

Warren returns to the playoffs after falling just short of a berth last year. This will be the Blue Devils' fifth trip to the playoffs in six years.

"I'm pretty excited and giving it all I have because it's my last year for football," Schilling said. "Everyone on our team wants the best for our seniors because we work so hard. We are trying our best, practicing hard."

The Blue Devils were fairly confident they had positioned themselves for a playoff spot regardless of the outcome of the Stevenson game. The 6-foot-1, 155-pound Schilling helped to make sure there was no doubt, passing for 161 yards in the win. All three TD passes were to Notre Dame recruit Micah Jones.

"Ian has grown from a kid who was always a good athlete that was playing quarterback to a kid that is now a quarterback," Warren coach Bryan McNulty said. "He's doing the little things right, he's making the appropriate throws. He's aggressive without being reckless. That's where I've seen him grow.

"He's really understanding defenses and what's going on."

Warren has won three of its last four games. Schilling has thrown six TDs and also rushed for one TD in the stretch.

He spreads the praise around.

"Our offensive line has really helped out with protecting me because a big part of our game is throwing," Schilling said. "We have some of the best receivers in the county and the state, especially with Micah Jones.

"This past offseason and summer camp, I worked really big with Micah to get my timing with him. He's a really big part of the game. I worked really hard with him during practice and even after with him and a lot of things are clicking now."

A good test: Lakes has a Class 5A first-round game at home Saturday against 14th-seeded Marian Central (5-4).

The fifth-seeded Eagles (8-1) warmed up for the postseason last week in a 33-19 victory against North Chicago.

"(Friday) night we had to battle with North Chicago," first-year Lakes coach Jordan Eder said. "I'm happy about it, to be honest. To really battle is a good way to set yourself up for the playoff-type football."

Lakes continues an impressive streak, qualifying for the playoffs for the ninth consecutive year.

"In the playoffs you are playing quality football teams," Eder said. "They are all going to be tough, competitive games. You have to come up with stops and you have to come up with scores. To do that the week prior was big.

"North Chicago is a good football team. It was a good way to go through a Week 9 game to give you a sample of what's coming up."

Back again: The playoffs have also become familiar for Antioch. The third-seeded Sequoits (9-0) play 12th-seeded Westinghouse (5-4) in a Class 5A first-round game Saturday at Antioch.